"Shadow I'd rather we split-"

"I insist Sally, I invited you. So I'm paying for us."

"But Shadow I-"

"Give it up Sal." Sonic chimed in, swinging back on his chair. "This is a battle you can't win. Take it from me, Mr Unsmiley never lets anyone else pay."

"It's not like I can't afford it. Working for the government is... profitable."

"I can't pay anyway." Nicole said with a shy smile. "I'm an AI, I don't exactly have money."

"Then it's settled. I'm paying. No excuses."

"...Fine." Sally sighed.

Tonight was one of those rare occasions where Sonic, Shadow, Sally and Nicole were free from their usual stresses. No world-saving, no government missions, no royal duties or Eggman attacks to counter.

It was Nicole and Sally's one year anniversary; since neither woman had made any plans to celebrate, Shadow and Sonic (mostly Shadow) had took it upon themselves to book a table at one of the best, most expensive, restaurants in the city. Sonic didn't see the appeal of these fancy places and didn't care for the weird tiny food they served, he was more than content with a cheap chilli dog. However his boyfriend had gone to all this trouble to book, so he decided it best to make an effort to enjoy the evening for his friends.

"I'm honestly shocked you're wearing a suit Sonic." Sally remarked, laughing. "I don't think I've seen you wear anything like that since we were dating...even though you're not wearing it properly."

Sonic rolled his eyes and tugged his collar open. His white shirt was only half tucked into his black pants, his oversized blazer hung tied around his waist and his tie was loose down his chest. Shadow had bought him some black formal shoes too, but he'd drawn the line at wearing anything other than his usual red sneakers or his soap shoes (since there were no nearby rails to grind, he went with the former.) He appeared the complete opposite to his boyfriend; Shadow had his quills tied back neatly into a ponytail, his black tie was fitted closely to his collar, his white shirt was tucked into his pants and his burgundy blazer was neatly buttoned up. He had already caught himself idly fiddling with his crystalline cufflinks, he found it mildly amusing that they were shaped like miniature chaos emeralds and had bought them on impulse; with little consideration of the price tag.

"Blame Shadow." Sonic huffed. "I spent my entire afternoon being dragged through shops."

Shadow smiled softly.

"It was worth it though. You look nice."

His muzzle blushed crimson in response. Compliments were a rarity from Shadow, and the few he did catch were hidden through layers of teasing. It was a pleasant surprise.

"I...uh, thanks Shads...you too."

"I agree with the Princess though, if only you'd dress properly."

The blue hedgehog rolled his eyes again.

"At least you two didn't spend ages digging through Sally's wardrobe looking for something to wear." Nicole giggled, side-eyeing Sally.

The Princess laughed, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.

"Heh...Maybe I should get rid of some stuff."

As for the girl's outfits of choice, both had been dug out of Sally's wardrobe. Sally wasn't all that fond of extravagant gowns and dresses, opting for clothing that was more casual and easier to fight in. Although there were a few unworn formal dresses hidden within the depths of her closets that her advisors and family had bought for her over the years. Nicole had managed to find a flared knee length dress. It's deep purples contrasting the thick black ribbon wrapped around her middle. To go with her dress: black heels, gold dangling earrings and a black lace choker. Sally had skipped the jewelry since finding a dress she would be willing to wear took long enough. After an hour of searching, Nicole had picked out a sleeveless light blue dress. Long in length, with light flowy material and a leg slit travelling up the right side. With basic black pumps slipped on her feet she pulled her blade bracelets on her wrists, despite the holo-lynx's protests. After all, you could never be too prepared.

"So what does everyone want to drink?" Sally asked.

"Chaos-Cola." Was the resounding answer.

"...You really think they'll serve cola in a place like this?"

"I won't drink anything else." Shadow said firmly.

"Me neither." Nicole followed up.

Sally raised a brow and folded her arms.

"Neither of you will drink anything other than..some cheap soda?" She sighed. "Alright…"

I'll help you carry the drinks." Sonic said, standing up.

The pair left to join the order queue, leaving Mr Unsmiley and Nicole alone.

For a while the table was silent, the two didn't know each other that well and had only really met through their partners. That, and it was usually Sonic and Sally who led the conversation. Nicole was the first to break the silence.

"So...you like Chaos-Cola huh?"

Shadow looked at her as if she was crazy and Nicole immediately regretted what she just said. Was that too awkward a thing to say? Despite her having a physical form for well over a year now, she hadn't exactly mastered the art of socialisation. But then, his face softened

"I don't like anything else." He replied. "Although I'll eat coffee beans straight. They're crunchy...Sonic finds it somewhat odd."

"I completely understand." She said. "...Not the coffee beans thing. I tried Chaos-Cola on a picnic with Sally once and no other drink has come close."

"We stockpile it now. I suppose Sonic must be getting sick of it."

"To be completely honest...I don't really drink or eat. It's very rare when I do, and even then it's only when I've been on dates with Sally."

"I've been there too. It's a peculiar thing to get used to. I technically don't require food for energy. I suspect it's my constant link to chaos that gives me the energy I need. Really I only eat for the fun of it."

"That's what it's like for me!" Nicole grinned, trying to contain her excitement. Lack of a require to eat was a peculiar thing to relate to someone on, yet she was happy nonetheless.

Yet then, Shadow's face fell again. She wondered if it was something she had said, if she'd spoken out of turn.

He pondered for a moment, trying to decide how to phrase the question buzzing in his mind. He soon took notice of her concerned expression.

"If...If you don't mind me asking." He said with a slight grimace. "And forgive me if this is too forward but...you are an artificial intelligence, correct? ...Can you…Are you able to...feel?"

Nicole recoiled at this rather personal question. She barely even knew him. And he was asking...this? However he had a glint of curiosity in his eyes, and Nicole found herself believing the inquiry was harmless.

"I have programmed responses to physical stimuli-"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

She knew all too well what it was he was getting at. She just hoped she was wrong.

"I mean...do you... experience things the way other people do?"

She was right.

Nicole's eyes met his for a moment, then she averted; staring down at the red table cloth instead. She found herself balling her dresses cool material into her fist.

"...No." She sighed. "I'm capable of emotion but that's only due to programming. I know it's all fake. I don't feel like other people do naturally...I don't feel real."

Another, heavier silence fell between the two. Nicole scanned the room briefly, hoping her girlfriend and Sonic would return soon to hopefully put a stop to the rather awkward situation.

"I...I understand."

Her eyes returned to his own.

"You do?"

"Yeah..." He took a deep breath in, releasing the air in a sigh. "I wasn't born...I was created, like you. The first thing I ever knew was the metal table I was strapped to, and all the wires forced into my body. No memories to call my own, I only knew what they wanted me to do. They created me for a purpose, to save the life of my creator's granddaughter. And...I failed. She was...very ill and was deteriorating every day. Even if I could've saved her from her illness, it wouldn't have made any difference. She was...killed, by a soldier. I lost my life's purpose and my sister in an instant."

"...I'm so sorry Shadow...I had no idea."

"It wasn't long after, for me at least, that I met Sonic. We were enemies back then. He was a hero and I was hell-bent on punishing everyone for what happened to Maria. But he showed me that there was more to my life than getting revenge, that I didn't have to carry out Gerald's destructive final wish. That I was free to heal and find my own purpose. Nobody else is born with purpose they just find it along the way. But thanks to him I was able to do the same. In a way...Sonic saved me."

She recoiled again. She knew about the Ultimate Lifeform Project through her delves into GUN's archives. She knew Shadow and his predecessor, the Biolizard, were created as investigations into immortality. Yet she couldn't have known of how close Shadow had become with Maria, or how she had been killed. Cover-ups must have taken place.

"...A similar event brought about my creation."

Shadow's look, before dripping with melancholy, shifted into that of cautious intrigue.

"...How so?"

"Dr Ellidy, my creator, had a daughter. She was dying and I was created as a means to keep part of her alive. Her mind. I was only a computer at this point, a blank canvas for Nikki's mind to be projected onto. It...didn't work. Instead of Nikki's life being saved in the digital world...I gained consciousness. I failed my purpose because I lived and she died. And I know Ellidy will always resent me for that."

He leaned back in his chair and ran a gloved hand over his head, taking in a puff of air before carefully considering his next words. Of course, he understood her with crystal clarity. He'd been there. Forced to crush under the weight of guilt for Maria's death. Coming to terms with his artificial existence. The least he could do was bring her some comfort with his own experience.

"You cannot blame yourself for her death, Nicole." He finally spoke, his words dripping with sincerity. "There wasn't anything you could have done. And you've done a lot of good for the kingdom you protect. And your emotions are just as real and just as important as everyone else's."

She softened. Offered him a soft smile and smoothed out the crinkles in her dress.

"Thank you Shadow. I really appreciate-"

Bang!

"Hey Shads. Didja miss us?"

The interruption came in the form of Sonic slamming down a glass of brown liquid on the table. He swiveled back into his chair, slamming his own drink onto the wooden surface. Sally placed herself into her seat too, shaking her head at her friend's reckless drink slams. And gently placed two more drinks in front of herself and her girlfriend.

"For the ten minutes you were gone? Not especially."

"What were you guys talking about?"

Shadow glanced in Nicole's direction and grinned.

"How we take our coffee beans."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tysm for reading! Any reviews, constructive criticisms, likes and follows are appreciated!

I decided that i wanted to give Nicole and Shadow a bit of time together since i think they have a lot they can relate on and they never really interacted much in canon.

The next chapter will probably have a focus on Sonic and Sally and the rest will focus on Sonadow and Sallicole.

This chapter was written in a bit of a rush lmao since i wanted to get something out for sallicole week on tumblr so there will probably be some edits made to chapter one whilst i work on chapter two.